Development managed by the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand PO Box 1697 Wellington 6140 Website:

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2 The Activity Safety Guideline project is managed by the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) with support from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). The guideline was developed in association with canyoning, and other relevant technical experts. More information about the guideline development process can be found at The Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline is a web-based document and will be reviewed and updated from time to time. The current version is available at should periodically check the date and version number of the current online document to ensure their printed copies are up-to-date. Activity Safety Guidelines are the result of a recommendation from the final report of the 2009/10 government review of risk management and safety in the adventure and outdoor commercial sector in New Zealand. The variety of activities provided by these sectors are referred to broadly as adventure activities and include activities provided by adventure tourism operators and outdoor education centres. More information about the government review can be found at TIA, MBIE, and the New Zealand commercial canyoning community have made every effort to ensure that the information contained in this guideline is reliable. We make no guarantee of its accuracy or completeness and do not accept any liability for errors. We may change, add to, delete from, or otherwise amend the contents of this publication at any time without notice. Development managed by the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand PO Box 1697 Wellington 6140 Website: With the support of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment PO Box 3705 Wellington 6011 Website: Published: Version 1 December 2012, version 1.1 February Cover photo: Daniel Clearwater Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 1

3 Acknowledgements Other publications This guideline contains adventure tourism and outdoor commercial sector information published on the SupportAdventure website. This guideline contains public sector information published by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Consultation The guideline was developed in consultation with the canyoning sector and other relevant experts. The following technical experts comprised the canyoning activity safety guideline working group and are acknowledged for their advice and support: Cam Bowen Mike Enright Neil Foxcroft Toine Houtenbos Grant Prattley Dave Vass The following groups are also acknowledged for their input and support: Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline Support Group; New Zealand Canyon Guides; Aviation, Tourism and Travel Training Organisation ; Maritime New Zealand; Mountain Safety Council; New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association; Outdoors New Zealand; outdoor Safety Auditors; Qualmark; the Tourism Industry Association New Zealand; Water Safety New Zealand. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 2

4 Table of Contents Definitions... 4 Section 1 Introduction, Purpose, Scope and Application A description of the New Zealand canyoning sector The legislative context for canyoning activities in New Zealand The purpose of this guideline and the SupportAdventure website Scope and application: what this guideline covers, and how to use it Use this guideline to build safety into your SOPs Use this guideline to help you pass independent safety audits... 9 Section 2 The Hazard Management Process Identifying and assessing hazards Managing hazards Using competent persons Incident reporting and learning Section 3 The Canyoning Environment How canyons are graded for difficulty The risk of rising water levels The difficulty of getting assistance in canyons The effects of cold temperatures on people The risk of rock fall Changes to hazards within the canyon Section 4 Canyoning Activities Swimming and wading Being exposed to edges and falling from height Abseiling Slides and jumping into water Section 5 Trip Management Trip monitoring Communication systems Section 6 Staff Identifying safety responsibilities and competence requirements Verifying competence Canyoning-specific guide and instructor competence recommendations Identifying and dealing with unsafe staff Section 7 Clients Ensuring clients are suited to the trip and its activities Informing clients about safety Supervising clients Section 8 Equipment General use equipment Emergency equipment Equipment maintenance, testing and inspection Section 9 Emergencies Accessing suitable external emergency support Section 10 Safety System Reviews Appendix 1 Explanation of Terms Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 3

5 Definitions This guideline assumes the reader has technical knowledge of this activity; it defines only those terms that may be unique to this guideline, are used in a specific way or that would otherwise be open to interpretation. For the purposes of this document the following definitions apply: Competent person (at a specific task) A person who can correctly perform the task. They have usually acquired the knowledge and skills to do this through a combination of training, qualification and experience. Client A person (participant) who takes an active role in an adventure activity but is not in a leadership or supervisory role. Direct supervision Is when the person supervising is in a position to be able to intervene and manage anticipated hazards. Edge The place over which a person could fall if they are not attached to a safety system. Good practice The current accepted range of safe and reasonable actions to minimise the risk of harm to staff, participants and visitors. Guide or instructor A person who is responsible for instructing or guiding clients. Health and safety explanation of terms See Appendix 1 for an explanation of the terms all practicable steps, serious harm, hazard and significant hazard. Incident An event that caused or could have caused harm to any person. Indirect supervision Is when the person supervising is able to communicate with the person being supervised, but may not be able to intervene and manage hazards should they develop. Operator Person or other legal entity (whether an employer, principal, or self-employed person) that provides an adventure activity to a client (participant). Qualified A person who holds a current nationally recognised qualification. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 4

6 Risk Effect of uncertainty on objectives. Risk assessment A process undertaken by a competent person to identify risks and their associated hazards, and to assess the hazards according to their significance potential severity of impact and probability of occurrence. Safety management plan (SMP) The written plan outlining how an operator will manage safety. An SMP typically includes operational systems and standard operating procedures. Safety management system (SMS) The management system for directing and controlling an operation in regard to safety. Sector New Zealand adventure tourism and outdoor education providers, support organisations and associations. A specific part of the sector may be referenced, for example the canyoning sector. Staff Employees, contractors or volunteers who work for an operator and are responsible for the safety of clients undertaking canyoning activities. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) Written guidance that provides health and safety information about a particular activity or task such as how it should be conducted. Technical expert A person that has professional credentials or extensive knowledge, skills and experience to assist an operator with various technical tasks, including advising and reviewing the policies, procedures and practices of an adventure activity. This person may be from within or outside the operation. Supporting criteria include: an ability to represent current industry good practice on safety topics activity experience from a variety of settings and/or being nationally recognised within the activity sector for their activity safety knowledge. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 5

7 Section 1 Introduction, Purpose, Scope and Application This guideline is an Activity Safety Guideline for canyoning. It is split into 10 sections. In Section 1 you will find: a description of the New Zealand canyoning sector an introduction to the safety context for canyoning activities in New Zealand an explanation of the purpose of this guideline and how it relates to the laws around health and safety an explanation of the scope and application of this guideline: what it covers, and how to use it to build your standard operational procedures and pass safety audits. Section 2 is about the hazard management process. Sections 3 through 9 provide canyoning specific safety recommendations and Section 10 gives information about reviewing your safety systems. 1.1 A description of the New Zealand canyoning sector Commercial canyoning in New Zealand occurs both in outdoor education centres and adventure tourism operations. Trips in the higher grade canyons tend to be more common within the adventure tourism operations. The adventure tourism canyoning sector is fairly small and some operations are fairly new however, it is well connected to the New Zealand recreational canyoning community and the international canyoning community. Many operators, guides and instructors work within the well established and highly regulated European canyoning sector. There is a small but knowledgeable recreational canyoning community in New Zealand. There is a recreational canyoning website at The New Zealand commercial canyoning sector developed canyoning specific qualifications with the New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association (NZOIA) in The New Zealand Canyon Guides (NZCG) is a commercial operators group formed in Canyoning operators are encouraged to join this group, for more information contact the working group members listed on page 2 or NZOIA Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 6

8 1.2 The legislative context for canyoning activities in New Zealand Commercial canyoning operations, as are all workplaces, are subject to health and safety legislation. Health and safety legislation that applies to commercial canyoning operations includes: the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 this guideline refers to this as the Act the Health and Safety in Employment (Adventure Activities) Regulations 2011 this guideline refers to this as the Adventure Activities Regulations. The health and safety legislation uses both operators and providers to refer to people or organisations who provide activities such as canyoning. This guideline uses operators throughout. The Adventure Activities Regulations Canyoning activities expose the participant to risks of the kind defined in the Adventure Activities Regulations. The Adventure Activities Regulations cover activities where: the recreational or educational experience the participants have is the main purpose the participants are guided, taught, or otherwise assisted to participate in the activities the design of the activities deliberately exposes the participants to a risk of serious harm that must be managed by the operator of the activity failure of the operator's management systems (such as failure of operational procedures or failure to provide reliable equipment) is likely to result in serious harm to participants, or participants are deliberately exposed to dangerous terrain or dangerous waters. The regulations require operations providing these activities to be registered and undergo an external safety audit. For more information go to the SupportAdventure website: The purpose of this guideline and the SupportAdventure website This Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline (referred to as the guideline ) aims to provide practical recommendations for commercial canyoning operators in New Zealand to actively manage the safety of the canyoning activities they provide. The SupportAdventure website ( provides practical guidance for adventure activity operators on developing good practice safety management systems. It includes information and examples for developing a safety management plan. This guideline and the SupportAdventure website act as companions to the health and safety legislation. They are not part of the health and safety legislation, but following their recommendations will help operators to meet legal requirements to take all practicable steps to identify and manage hazards. An investigation into an accident may look at how well an operator followed this guideline. Hazards can be identified and managed by following this guideline directly, or in other ways that achieve the same level of safety (or better). Before departing from the recommendations given here, seek advice Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 7

9 from a canyoning technical expert or other competent person. An operator will need to be able to justify why they use a different method from the guideline. The responsibility for making safe decisions remains with the operator. 1.4 Scope and application: what this guideline covers, and how to use it This guideline defines canyoning as: An activity involving the descent or ascent of a watercourse using specific techniques and/or equipment but excluding a craft. The watercourse often contains water and often has vertical sides and/or difficult egress and access, and is not a cave. This guideline covers activities that meet this definition, whether or not they are advertised specifically as canyoning. The Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline describes what canyoning operators and technical experts consider to be good practice for actively managing safety in providing commercial canyoning activities in New Zealand. This guideline is written for commercial canyoning operators (the primary audience) and also for safety auditors (the secondary audience) as a benchmark for current good practice. It will also be useful for: other people involved in canyoning, such as trainers and people involved with providing noncommercial canyoning activities activities other than canyoning that involve similar risks, hazards and techniques. This guideline focuses on preventing death or other serious harm. It identifies common significant hazards that clients, and the guides or instructors who lead them, may be exposed to during canyoning trips. It makes recommendations for managing these hazards. Activities associated with taking clients to and from canyoning activities are outside the scope of this guideline. Operators who provide these activities need to manage the associated hazards. Safety management systems are made of a safety management plan underpinned and driven by a positive safety culture. For information on building a safety management system go to Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 8

10 1.5 Use this guideline to build safety into your SOPs As an operator, you should have an overall safety management plan that you use to manage health and safety in everything you do. Your plan should contain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for each activity you provide. This Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline outlines good practice safety recommendations that are specific to canyoning. Conduct a site specific hazard management process, consider the recommendations in this guideline, and add the relevant procedures to your SOPs. This guideline gives examples to explain hazards and other concepts. The examples are not exhaustive think of other examples that could apply to your specific activity. It is essential that, alongside site specific assessments and the use of this guideline, guides and instructors conduct ongoing dynamic hazard assessment and management. 1.6 Use this guideline to help you pass independent safety audits The Adventure Activities Regulations require canyoning operators to obtain and pass independent safety audits. Following this guideline will help operators who provide canyoning activities to satisfy these requirements and pass audits. Safety audit standards specify the standards or requirements that adventure activity operators must comply with to reduce risks when providing adventure activities. Safety audit standards will specify: the general standards and requirements for all operators that there are relevant technical standards and requirements for each specific adventure activity. This Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline sets out relevant technical standards and recommendations for commercial canyoning activities. The guideline will help safety auditors to assess whether an operator is complying with good practice for canyoning activities. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 9

11 Section 2 The Hazard Management Process This section looks at the following steps in the hazard management process: identifying and assessing hazards managing hazards using competent persons incident reporting and learning. The hazard management process is a key part of an overall safety management plan. The steps involved enable hazard management to be built into standard operating procedures (SOPs). Hazard management processes need to be driven by a positive safety culture. Apply hazard management processes to all operational situations including new activities, standard activities, and when there are changes to equipment or hazards. Hazard management involves both a scheduled and dynamic approach to identify, assess, manage, communicate and record hazards in every part of an operation. For an explanation of the terms practicable steps, significant hazard and serious harm see Appendix Identifying and assessing hazards Identify hazards both systematically and dynamically. The systematic part of identifying hazards should use a variety of methods such as: inspecting sites physically studying maps and photographs of catchment areas consulting with other users reviewing standard operating procedures reviewing past incident reports and lessons learned. Assess all hazards to identify which ones are significant. Align assessment and rating systems with current good practice and take into account the nature and context of the activity. 2.2 Managing hazards Manage hazards according to the eliminate, isolate, minimise hierarchy of action. Due to the nature of canyoning many hazards cannot be eliminated or isolated, and can only be minimised. Hazard management should reduce the risk of harm to acceptable levels. What these acceptable levels are will depend on the nature and context of the activity, client ability and on current good practice. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 10

12 Managing hazards includes monitoring them for changes in their significance. A higher level of management such as moving from minimising to eliminating may be necessary if a hazard increases in significance. For example, a change in conditions might mean a trip should no longer go ahead. 2.3 Using competent persons Use suitably competent people to identify, assess and manage hazards. Ensure the competent person(s) knows the operator s safety management system, client market, relevant site specific information, and has access to historical information on site hazards and incidents. For more information on hazard management processes go to Incident reporting and learning Report, record and analyse all incidents and concerns that affect safety or have the potential to affect safety. This is done to enable learning and to help stop the incident from happening again. Consider using national reporting systems such as the National Incident Database on anything you learn. Incident reporting systems need to be used effectively. Induction and on-going training are vital, but are only a part of ensuring that this happens. The system must be openly and regularly used, particularly by senior staff, to have any chance of success. To encourage responsible reporting, take care to think of reporting and recording separately from the incidents themselves. Avoid penalising people for reporting incidents. Good reporting and recording should be seen as positive behaviour alongside whatever faults may have led to an incident. For more information on incident reporting go to Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 11

13 Section 3 The Canyoning Environment The canyoning environment itself is the source of one of the most likely causes of death while canyoning drowning associated with groups being in canyons during an unexpected rise in water levels. Focus safety management strategies on preventing this from occurring. This section identifies good practice safety management strategies for dealing with six key aspects of the canyoning environment: how canyons are graded for difficulty the risk of rising water levels the difficulty of getting assistance in canyons the effects of cold temperatures on people the risk of rock fall changes to hazards within the canyon. The information in this section should not be considered all-inclusive. It is essential to carry out site and activity specific hazard management processes, and for guides and instructors to conduct ongoing dynamic hazard identification, assessment and management. Note: Some of the most likely canyoning activity serious harm injuries are impact injuries associated with jumps or slides. For more information on this and other activity based risks see section How canyons are graded for difficulty New Zealand canyons are graded using the French grading system. This guideline refers to two levels of canyons: Level 1 canyons canyons up to approximately French grade V3, A3, 2, and Level 2 canyons which are those above this grade. For more information on the French grading system go to The risk of rising water levels The potential for rises in water levels is a significant hazard when canyoning. Water levels can rise for several reasons, including heavy or persistent rain or snow melt in the canyon water catchment area, dam collapse, or landslides or avalanches into the water source. Ensure that guides and instructors are well aware of the causes of rising water for the canyons they work, and that they know how to monitor, plan for, and react to rising water levels. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 12

14 To do this they should know: local catchment areas and any associated dangerous weather patterns or dam and slide hazards likely water rising rates for particular weather patterns and catchment surface conditions the best weather forecasting service available (most up to date and most accurate) and how to use it how and when to cancel a trip due to water level concerns methods for monitoring water rising rates, water level indicators and maximum safe water levels procedures for dealing with rising water levels in a canyon, such as safe waiting areas, escape routes and evacuation procedures. 3.3 The difficulty of getting assistance in canyons The limited access of many canyons can make emergency evacuation difficult and lead to lengthy waits for external emergency support. Strategies for managing difficult canyon access should be based on the associated risk. Options include: mapping options for access and escape pre-rigging emergency access ropes or ladders caching emergency evacuation equipment induction training and ongoing practice for guides or instructors on access and escape routes training or informing local emergency services about your access systems and their limitations considering accessibility when determining guide or instructor to client ratios, assessing clients, and setting competence requirements for guides or instructors ensuring that sufficient equipment is available to ensure group safety during a delay leaving the canyon, such as warm clothing and high-energy food. 3.4 The effects of cold temperatures on people Cold air or water temperatures can lead to clients becoming hypothermic or struggling to safely participate in activities. Strategies for managing cold temperatures should be based on the associated risk. Options include: ensuring that clients are equipped for the expected temperatures managing the start times and duration of trips to suit the temperature encouraging people to minimise their time in cold water carrying and using extra thermal clothing, food and heat sources training guides and instructors to manage cold temperature hazards. 3.5 The risk of rock fall Assess and monitor the canyon for likelihood of rock fall. Assessment and monitoring should be based on the associated risk consider the type, shape and quality of the rock of the canyon, as well as vegetation. Strategies for managing rock-fall should be based on the significance of the risk. Options include: avoiding the area by choosing a different route through the canyon or cordoning off the area moving quickly through the area wearing helmets. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 13

15 3.6 Changes to hazards within the canyon Significant environmental events such as floods, tree falls and rock falls may affect known existing hazards on a canyoning trip or create new hazards. Ensure that systems are in place to check canyons and specific activities within canyons are checked after environmental events that could have changed or created hazards. Record any changes and notify relevant staff and other canyon users. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 14

16 Section 4 Canyoning Activities Some of the most likely canyoning activity serious harm injuries are impact injuries associated with jumps or slides. Safety management strategies should focus on preventing these from occurring. This section looks at five common canyoning activities. It identifies significant hazards they usually involve and good practice for managing those hazards. The five activity areas are: swimming and wading being exposed to edges and falling from height ziplining abseiling slides and jumping into water. The information in this section should not be considered all-inclusive. It is essential to carry out site and activity specific hazard management processes, and for guides and instructors to conduct ongoing dynamic hazard identification, assessment and management. The most common non-serious harm injuries while canyoning usually occur while scrambling and walking. Note: The most likely cause of death while canyoning is drowning associated with an unexpected rise in water levels. For more information on this and other environmental risks see section Swimming and wading Canyoning often involves swimming and wading in water, and therefore exposes people to the risk of drowning. Identifying the hazards Hazards to consider when swimming or wading include: clients with limited or no swimming ability water that is fast flowing water that is too shallow or too deep unstable or slippery river bottom aerated water reduced buoyancy features that could trap people. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 15

17 Managing the hazards Include strategies for managing hazards in technical systems, client management techniques and client briefings. Technical systems Establish maximum safe water levels for swimming, wading and other water related activities operate within these levels. Choose swim or wade activities that match client abilities. Choose swim or wade routes, and manage client equipment to eliminate, isolate or minimise entrapment risks to acceptable levels. Use additional buoyancy devices as per the recommendations in Section 8. Check clients swimming competence before activities that demand strong swimming ability Assess swims and wades to ensure that guides or instructors can supervise and intervene as needed to manage safety. Directly supervise difficult swim or wade exit points where exiting at that point is integral to safety Only allow clients to swim over drops when the landing area is deep and obstacle free. Client management Guides and instructors should understand the characteristics of the group and manage the safety of each member. For example: identify and manage weak swimmers consider avoiding the swim or wade, swimming with the guide or instructor, or using extra buoyancy as per section 8 ensure that supervision levels and strategies are in line with the group s needs. Client information Ask clients to inform the guides or instructors if they have limited or no swimming ability. Include information on suitable hazard avoidance techniques in safety briefings for swimming or wading should. Examples include: wading and/or swimming techniques suited to route to be negotiated ways to recognise hazards where appropriate, such as trees or undercut walls actively swimming away from hazards entrapment avoidance techniques such as white-water float position and active swimming. Note: See also sections 3.2 and 3.4 for recommendations on managing the hazard of rising water levels and the effects of cold temperatures on people. 4.2 Being exposed to edges and falling from height Negotiating canyons often involves exposing clients and guides or instructors to edges and the risk of falling from height. Specific techniques for moving near edges also bring their own hazards. This section looks at reducing the risk of falling, using cow s tails and lanyards, deep-water belaying and using clients to belay. Additional sources of information and technical expert advice on managing activities at height include the New Zealand Canyon Guides, the New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association and the New Zealand Mountain Guides Association. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 16

18 Reducing the risk of falling Manage general exposure to the risk of falling by ensuring that people stay far enough away from edges to isolate or minimise the risk. This will often include establishing safe zones back from an edge and communicating these clearly to clients. Sometimes exposure to edges cannot be avoided. Belay client and instructors or guides, or attach them to a safety point, when in the opinion of a technical expert or suitably qualified person: they are likely to fall and the fall is likely to cause serious harm or a guide or instructor needs to be attached in order to protect the client safely. Assess likelihood to fall by looking at factors such as: how close people are to the edge how much the surface slopes downward how unstable or slippery the surface is the ability of the client and guide or instructor. Guides and instructors should use other safety techniques to protect clients from lesser falls that may still cause serious harm. For example, use spotting techniques when clients move in technically difficult terrain. Using cow s tails and lanyards Cow s tails and/or lanyards are commonly used in conjunction with safety lines and anchors as a fall restraint in place to prevent a serious fall from occurring. Identifying the hazards Hazards to consider when using cow s tails or lanyards include: clients totally unclipping lanyards in a hazard zone ( a full unclip) clients being unable to reach clip and unclip points carabiner gates opening accidentally in the event of a fall high peak forces impacting on people and equipment. Managing the hazards Include strategies for managing hazards in technical systems, client management techniques and client briefings. Technical systems Ensure unclip and clipping points are within safe reach of clients easy-on, easy-off. Rig safety lines high so that they stay above waist height. Avoid using lanyards to protect vertical travel in conjunction with safety lines. Consider peak forces on people and equipment when establishing safety line angles and anchors, and when choosing safety line and lanyard material. Client management Check clients ability to use lanyards and cow s tails correctly, particularly around avoiding a full unclip. Practice first in a low consequence environment. Ensure that individual clients supervision levels and strategies are in line with their needs. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 17

19 Client briefing Brief the clients on: the possible consequences of double unclipping in the hazard zone strategies for staying attached, such as add before you subtract carabiner use and orientation, such as the squeeze test the importance of keeping the safety line above waist height. Deep-water belaying This is a canyoning term for a safety system where a deep-water landing is used to protect people falling from height. Belay ropes are not used. Identifying the hazards Factors to consider when identifying hazards for deep-water belaying include: shallow or aerated water, and obstacles in the landing zone unexpected or uncontrolled takeoffs or landings. Managing the hazards Include strategies for managing hazards in technical systems, client management techniques and client briefings. Technical systems Choose locations low enough that clients can land safely even if surprised by the fall. Assess landing zones to ensure that their depth and nature means that a client s fall will be safely managed by landing in the water consider water aeration. Client management Space clients at distances that ensure they will not cause each other to fall, and so that if more than one falls they will not land on each other. Client briefing Instruct clients how to takeoff and land safely if they lose balance or control of the activity above the water. If abseiling, instruct clients to abseil slowly and explain what to do if they lose control of the rope. Using clients to bottom brake belay Clients are often used to bottom brake belay on canyoning trips. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 18

20 Identifying the hazards Factors to consider when identifying hazards for using clients to belay include: the belayer using incorrect belay technique the belayer using safety equipment incorrectly, such as harnesses and rope attachment systems the belayer being distracted or not focusing on the task For information on using clients to bottom brake belay for abseiling in waterfalls see section 4.4 Managing the hazards Include strategies for managing hazards in technical systems, client management techniques and client briefings. Technical systems Safety when bottom brake belaying relies more on client management and briefings than technical systems. Client management Pay particular attention to assessing clients and allocating belaying tasks to a suitable person. Directly supervise client belayers if they are less than 14 years old. Either directly supervise client belayers 14 years old and over, or use an adequately trained and supervised client as a back-up belayer. In-direct supervision may be acceptable if all the following conditions are met: the client belayer has been approved for indirect supervision by an experienced guide or instructor verified as competent in the skills of the Level 1 NZOIA Canyoning award, or a guide or instructor verified as competent in the skills of the level 2 NZOIA Canyoning award the guide or instructor has previously taught or observed the client belayer performing the task required and has absolute confidence that, in their opinion, the client will perform the skills correctly in normal and adverse conditions. Ensure the client belayer and the guide or instructor can communicate throughout the belay process. Ideally they would be able to see each other. Client briefing Instruct clients on the belay techniques for the system and equipment in use. Stress the importance of correct and diligent belaying techniques and the consequences of belay failure. 4.3 Ziplines Canyoning trips often involve ziplines. Ziplines expose people to the risks associated with falling from height and moving at high speed. Additional sources of information and technical expert advice on managing zipline activities or constructing ziplines include commercial zipline operators, the New Zealand Canyon Guides, and technical rescue training associations such as the Search and Rescue Institute of New Zealand and Rescue 3 New Zealand. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 19

21 Identifying the hazards Factors to consider when identifying hazards for ziplines include: exposure of people to edges and falling impact of peak forces on people and equipment lack of ground clearance in takeoff areas clients hitting obstacles in the path of travel or stopping zones clients not stopping in time or stopping too abruptly due to inadequate braking systems clients suspended in a harness for an extended period of time clients hands, hair or equipment being in positions where they could be caught in pulleys. Managing the hazards Include strategies for managing hazards in technical systems, client management techniques and client briefings. Technical systems Zipline routes and landing zones should be free of obstacles that could cause injury. Zipline angles and client retrieval systems should enable efficient client travel and rescue. Launching and stopping systems should ensure clients do not endure impact likely to cause harm. Ropes, wires, anchors and other system components should be able to manage the likely forces of normal zipline use and emergency procedures.* *Strength requirements for load bearing ropes in zipline systems will almost certainly exceed the recommendations made for general use ropes in section 8. Examples of ways to manage the additional forces include using double ropes or metal cables for low angle, horizontal or highly tensioned ziplines. Client management Check the connection of the client s zipping device to the zipline before they launch. Ensure clients are protected from unsafe exposure to edges as per the guidance in section 4.2. Client briefing Instruct clients on safe hand positions to ensure that hands will not become entrapped in pulleys or breaking systems. Ensure clients know what to do to assist with stopping themselves sliding back along the zipline once they have reached the end point. 4.4 Abseiling This section covers conventional and guided abseiling of clients, and abseiling in waterfalls or into water. These activities all involve the risk of falling from height and have their own unique hazards. See also section 4.2 which describes strategies for managing the risks of using clients to bottom brake belay. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 20

22 Conventional and guided abseiling Canyoning often involves client abseiling and occasionally includes guided abseils. Identifying the hazards Factors to consider when identifying hazards for abseiling include: exposure of people to edges and falling incorrect client abseiling technique or equipment use a difficult abseil starting area affecting the ease of weighting the rope and client ability to practise abseil technique abseiler suspended in a harness for an extended period of time top heavy clients possibility of inverting while abseiling objects falling from above landing on abseiler long abseils compromised ability of guide or instructor to communicate with the client guided abseils increased load on equipment and anchors guided abseils not avoiding the hazard as intended. Managing the hazards Include strategies for managing these factors in technical systems, client management techniques and client briefings. Technical systems Technical systems need to take into account equipment loadings, the time a client spends hanging in a harness and abseiler ability. Ensure abseiling systems are releasable or include another option for recovering the abseiler in stuck abseiler scenarios. Examples include hauling systems or lowering using another rope. Choose abseil sites and starting point set ups to enable clients to safely weight the abseil rope Choose abseil sites and instructor or guide supervision positions to enable suitable supervision of the abseiler s descent such as being able to see and talk with a nervous abseiler during difficult sections Provide clients with equipment to maintain them in an upright position if the instructor or guide thinks they may invert while abseiling. Guided abseils ensure anchors and equipment is suitable for the extra load on the system. Guided abseils ensure line tension and angle is sufficient to avoid the relevant hazard. Keep the edge at the top of the abseil site clear of loose equipment and objects such as rocks. Client management Ensure clients have a safety backup system while abseiling. This will usually involve being belayed by another person. Clients using a self-managed backup system, such as prussiks, will generally only occur in an instructional rather than a guided environment. The decision to allow a client to use a self managed backup system or to check their own abseil device connection should be made by an experienced guide or instructor verified as competent in the skills of the Level 1 NZOIA canyoning award, or a guide or instructor verified as competent in the skills of the level 2 NZOIA canyoning award for information on guide and instructor competence and qualifications see section 6. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 21

23 Check the connection of every client s abseil device to the rope before they abseil unless all the following conditions are met: the guide or instructor has previously taught and/or observed the client performing the skill set required and has absolute confidence that in normal and adverse conditions the client will perform the skills correctly buddy checks are used the initial weighting of the client s abseil set up is backed up by another form of safety, examples include the client being attached by a lanyard. Client briefing Instruct clients on correct abseil body position, and on techniques for speed control and braking. Instruct clients to secure loose items, such as hair and clothing that could catch in the belay device. Abseiling in waterfalls or into water Abseiling in waterfalls or into water adds the risk of drowning to that of falling from height. The degree of risk involved will usually increase with the amount of water, the number of entrapment features and the length of the abseil. Identifying the hazards Factors to consider when identifying hazards for abseiling in waterfalls include: features in the rock behind the waterfall trapping the abseiler cracks, chockstones, hanging pools water hitting the abseiler or belayer, affecting their ability to abseil or belay surface slipperiness leading to foot entrapments or inability to maintain abseil stance difficult communication between client and the instructor or guide client bottom belayers needing to assist with complex rescue scenarios abseiler becoming entangled in rope when abseiling into water. Managing the hazards Include strategies for managing hazards in technical systems, client management techniques and client briefings. Technical systems If abseiling into water with high water flow ensure the abseil line finishes at or above water level, and the abseil device allow easy rope release. Note: this assumes the abseiler is not being bottom brake belayed. Packs should not be worn when abseiling in waterfalls with significant water flows. Client bottom brake belayers should stand back from the waterfall, have stable footing and good visibility of the abseiler. Client management Client assessment and progressions should be used to ensure clients are suited to managing their role when abseiling in waterfalls. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 22

24 Abseilers should be within sight of the guide or instructor in the parts of their descent involving significant water flows, ledges containing pools of water which present a drowning risk, or rock features which present an entrapment risk. If bottom brake belayers need to assist in complex rescues, such as those requiring them to assist with moving the abseiler out of the main flow, observe them competently performing the tasks required to assist in the rescue before they belay. Client briefing Briefing information will vary greatly depending on the actual hazards of a particular waterfall. Points to consider include instruction on managing slippery surfaces, avoiding entrapment features, and ways to maintain a breathing space, such as body and head positions. If abseiling into water instruct clients on how to get clear of the rope. If using clients to bottom brake belay an abseil where they may need to assist in a rescue and move the abseiler out of the main flow, ensure they have been previously trained and observed competently performing their part of the required rescue techniques. 4.5 Slides and jumping into water Jumping and sliding are the two canyoning activities that are most likely to cause serious harm. They involve hazards associated with height, speed, water and the inability to directly manage the client throughout the activity. Identifying the hazards Hazards that should be considered when jumping and sliding include: exposure of people to edges and falling difficult and exposed access routes unstable takeoff areas lack of confidence or ability of client long horizontal distance of landing zones from the takeoff position obstacles in route of travel landing zone too shallow or containing obstacles nonaerated water in landing zone, particularly for high jumps hard landings high speed of client on landing equipment impacting the jumper on landing, particularly packs when jumping fast flowing water in the landing zone flowing into hazards. Managing the hazards Include strategies for managing hazards in technical systems, client management techniques and client briefings. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 23

25 Technical systems Technical systems need to consider access and takeoff areas, landing zones and run-out. Directly control client takeoff positions if it is integral to safety, examples include the guide or instructor being attached to a safety point at the top of a jump to enable the hands-on guidance of the client. Protect clients from falling as they access takeoff areas examples include using fixed lines and lanyards or direct guide or instructor assistance. Assess landing zones to ensure they have sufficient depth and no dangerous obstacles. Assess landing zones to ensure any impact on the client is acceptable; consider both water aeration and likely client speed. Position a guide or instructor to stop clients from being washed downstream in landing zones with exits that actively flush clients towards hazards for lesser flows this may be substituted by techniques such as a rope across the exit of the pool. Slides consider the use of padding to protect the client, particularly their spine, examples include neoprene, PFDs. Jumps clients should not wear packs when jumping, and guides or instructors should consider forces resulting from landing wearing a pack before doing so themselves. Jumps actively manage difficult landing zones, for example position a guide or instructor at the bottom to indicate the safe landing area and/or mark a hazard. Jumps consider using buoyancy aids for particularly high jumps into non-aerated water. Client management Client assessment should be more stringent for jumps which have difficult access, takeoffs or landings. Manage clients so that they do not interfere with each other s stability in access and takeoff areas, nor land on each other in landing zones. Client briefing Instruct clients in takeoff and landing positions including body, head and limb positions. Inform clients that they can do a less risky activity where relevant, such as a lower jump, abseiling or being lowered. Note: clients should be informed before a trip commences if a trip contains high risk activities with no alternative options. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 24

26 Section 5 Trip Management Trip management includes ensuring each trip is staffed and monitored effectively and that the most practicable communications systems are in place. 5.1 Guide or instructor knowledge of the trip Ensure that guides or instructors are familiar with the hazards of the canyon they are working and with the operator s standard operating procedures. The number of trips and amount of training this requires will vary. Factors to consider include: the grade of the canyon and the specific hazards associated with the trip the competence of the guide or instructor the canyon familiarity of other guides or instructors working the trip. 5.2 Trip monitoring Monitor trip safety with a suitable backup person who is not on the trip, and with a suitable person on the trip itself. Backup monitoring The person providing backup monitoring is responsible for initiating emergency response as per the procedures in the operator s safety management plan. They should not be in the canyon and should be as contactable as is practicable while the trip is underway. On-trip monitoring Ensure every trip has a guide or instructor who is responsible for monitoring general trip safety and ensuring the trip follows the operator s standard operating procedures. This person should be an experienced guide or instructor whom the operator is confident will exercise good judgement under pressure. Note: This does not remove the responsibility for each individual guide or instructor to manage the safety of clients within their supervision ratio. 5.3 Communication systems Communication systems need to cover communication between those in the canyon and those monitoring the trip or other external emergency support, and between guides or instructors within the canyon. Communicating with external support Ensure each canyoning trip has a primary communication system, and that a backup system is available if the primary system is likely to be compromised. Compromising factors could include getting wet or suffering from impact damage. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 25

27 The primary system should be the most effective option practicable, and ideally be two-way. Examples of communication systems include: a satellite phone handheld radios two-way texting devices a cellular phone access to nearby landlines scheduled meetings with other operators or backup personnel one-way devices such as personal locator beacons. Where a communication device is used that relies on coverage, ensure that guides or instructors and personnel monitoring the trip are aware of coverage and non-coverage areas. Difficulty in communicating with external support is a significant hazard associated with many New Zealand canyons. Limited communication options can affect access to emergency support. See section 9 for information on contingencies for limited access to external emergency support. Communicating between guides or instructors within the canyon Communicating within a canyon is often difficult due to distance, gradient and water noise. Ensure that guides or instructors are trained in the use of an agreed set of signals. These will often include hand, whistle and rope signals. Examples of some commonly used signals can be found on the New Zealand Rafting Association website Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 26

28 Section 6 Staff Using competent staff is one of the mainstays of ensuring safety. This section looks at four key factors of staffing your operation: identifying safety responsibilities and competence requirements verifying competence canyoning specific guide and instructor competence recommendations identifying and dealing with unsafe staff. 6.1 Identifying safety responsibilities and competence requirements Identify the safety responsibilities of each job within the operation. These jobs should include operations management, and guiding and instructing. Identify the skills and knowledge required to meet these responsibilities. When identifying a job s required skills and knowledge, factors to consider include: levels of experience and judgement personal technical skills, including equipment knowledge risk management, group management and leadership skills ability to operate in accordance with standard operating procedures familiarity with and understanding of the operational environment ability to communicate safety requirements/directions clearly to the client rescue and emergency management skills including first aid.* *Ensure the number of staff with first aid qualifications, and the type of qualifications they hold are suitable for the likely first aid scenarios of the canyon in use. 6.2 Verifying competence It is the responsibility of the operator to ensure that staff are competent. This section looks at how to use qualifications to verify skills, and how to verify those skills which are not covered by qualifications. Using qualifications Operators should ensure they know which skills and knowledge a qualification actually measures. The operator should then check these against those required for the job. Any skills or knowledge not covered by the qualification should be verified by other suitable means, see section 6.3. Establishing equivalency between qualifications When establishing equivalency of one qualification with another (or parts thereof) an operator should contact the benchmark qualification provider and enquire as to the process they recommend. Qualifications currently under review Qualifications on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) Framework are currently being reviewed. Any results of this review that affect the canyoning sectors recommendations for Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 27

29 verifying competence will be included in this guideline as they become available. For more information on this review go to The New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association (NZOIA) is currently reviewing its qualifications. Results of this review that affect the caving sectors recommendations for verifying competence will be included in this guideline as they become available. For more information on this review go to Skills not covered by qualifications Verify competence in skills not covered by nationally recognised qualifications using a measure that suites the degree of safety responsibility associated with the skills. Use a suitable person to verifying competence. This person should have a qualification to do so, or be a technical expert in the skill to be verified who also understands national expectations on the standard of competence required. For more information on verifying staff competence go to Canyoning-specific guide and instructor competence recommendations This section looks at competency recommendations for canyoning guides or instructors, and for assistant canyoning guides or instructors. There are currently two commonly used New Zealand canyoning specific qualifications. They are administered by the New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association (NZOIA): NZOIA Canyon 1: this qualification is for people who run canyon trips with short pitches e.g. less than 30 metres, that can be negotiated using simple rope descent techniques and with physical and water difficulty up to moderate difficulty e.g. canyons up to approximately V3, A3, 2. NZOIA Canyon 2: this qualification is for people who organise and lead people in more difficult canyons e.g. above A3, V3, 2 at normal flows, teach and guide all aspects of canyoning and organise and supervise canyoning programmes. For more information on these qualifications, including more detailed skill set breakdowns, experience prerequisites and minimum recommended first aid certification see Recommendations for guides and instructors Ensure that canyoning guides and instructors operating within the scope of the above qualifications: hold the current NZOIA qualification corresponding to their job requirements or hold an equivalent qualification or be verified as competent in equivalent skills. Recommendations for assistant guides or instructors An assistant guide or instructor is responsible for managing some tasks within the guide or instructor role, but not all. Skills required will vary depending on the tasks to be managed. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 28

30 When using assistant guides or instructors ensure that: tasks to be managed, safety responsibilities and required skills are clearly identified the assistant guide or instructor is verified as competent in the required skills the assistant guide or instructor only manages the tasks for which they are verified as competent the competence of the assistant guide or instructor is considered when establishing client supervision levels. 6.4 Identifying and dealing with unsafe staff Do not permit a staff member to guide or instruct, or undertake other safety related tasks if staff believe they are in such a state of impairment that they may be a hazard to themselves or to any person on the trip. Impairment could be due to factors such as alcohol, drugs or fatigue. Identify as a hazard any person who is unable to perform safety tasks as required to fulfil the responsibilities of their role. Management strategies should suit the significance of the hazard and be outlined in the staff management aspects of the operator s safety management system. The Adventure Activities Regulations require that drug and alcohol hazards are specifically addressed through an explicit drugs and alcohol policy. Initial hazard management for dealing with unsafe staff should include removing the person from the role requiring performance of safety tasks. See also section 7.1 for information on managing unsafe clients. For information on managing the drugs and alcohol hazard go to Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 29

31 Section 7 Clients This section identifies good practice for three key areas of client safety management: ensuring clients are suited to the trip and its activities informing clients about safety supervising clients. 7.1 Ensuring clients are suited to the trip and its activities Assess clients to check that they are suited to participate in the canyoning trip and its particular activities. This should happen before the trip begins and be ongoing during the trip itself. This section looks at assessing clients and identifying and dealing with unsafe clients. Assessing clients Use information gathered while assessing clients to inform trip options, client supervision levels and activity choice within the trip. Clearly identify what to assess in the operator s safety management plan. Staff other than guides or instructors, such as front of house staff or drivers, may be involved in assessing clients. Client assessment should be consistent across staff, and should reflect the requirements of each trip. Factors to assess include: fitness and physical ability psychological factors such as the ability and likelihood to follow instructions, confidence in the environments of the canyoning trip, and phobias or fears particularly of heights and water medical issues, particularly pre-existing injuries the technical skills required for the trip or a particular activity, such as swimming. Age restrictions Establish minimum age guidance for each canyoning trip. Factors to consider include: the grade of the canyon activities within the canyon and their specific hazards whether the client fits the safety equipment the ease of canyon access and escape the ability to access external emergency support supervision levels experience and skill of guides and instructors. There are no overarching age recommendations for canyoning in New Zealand; however there are recommendations on the minimum age of client belayers. See section 4.4. Identifying and dealing with unsafe clients Do not permit a person to participate in a canyoning trip if they are in such a state of impairment that they may be a hazard to themselves or to any person on the trip. Impairment could be due to alcohol, drugs or fatigue. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 30

32 Identify as a hazard any client who is unable to perform safety procedures as outlined in the safety instructions. Management strategies should suit the significance of the risk and include directing the client towards less risky activities, increasing supervision levels or removing them from the trip. See also section 6.4 for information on managing unsafe staff. 7.2 Informing clients about safety Managing safety is more effective if clients are well informed, particularly on the risks and requirements of the canyoning trip. This section looks at the five key aspects of informing clients about safety: delivering safety information and checking for understanding pre-trip risk disclosure general safety information safety information for specific activities or hazards using demonstrations and activity progressions. Delivering safety information and checking for understanding Safety information should be delivered by a guide or instructor who has been verified as competent to do so, ideally this person would be an experienced guide or instructor. Ensure, as best as is practicable, that the client has understood the safety information. A safety information aid should be readily available to any client who has difficulty understanding the initial briefing; examples include videos, pictures and diagrams, practical demonstrations or written instructions in the client s language. Pre-trip risk disclosure Before setting off on a trip inform every client of the following information: canyoning is an adventure activity involving risk of serious harm or death. Clients should be aware that the commercial canyoning operator cannot guarantee the client s safety the trip is mentally and physically demanding and requires the client to be comfortable and confident with moving over uneven and possibly slippery terrain, being in the water and dealing with heights (these points should be emphasised to suit the particular trip) the client should follow guide or instructor instructions at all times and understand that this is critical to their safety and that of the group. Mention specific hazards and emphasise whether or not they can be avoided and any extra responsibility they place on the client. These include sole guided trips and activities such as swimming or wading in moving water, jumping from height, abseils and slides. Inform clients of any difficulties of escaping the canyon and communicating with external emergency support. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 31

33 General safety information Instruct clients in canyoning awareness and general techniques. This may occur before and during the trip. Factors to cover include: awareness of and warnings about the hazards of the canyon the importance of listening to the guide or instructor procedures for routine movement through the canyon, such as how to move on slippery and unstable rocks, staying back from edges and taking care around the exits of pools communication systems such as the OK signal methods for maintaining body temperature (for colder canyoning trips) emergency procedures such as staying where they are and waiting for instructions from the guide or instructor. Safety information for specific activities or hazards For parts of the canyon involving a significant hazard, or requiring technical manoeuvring to negotiate, inform clients of: the hazard and warn of its dangers options for avoiding the hazard such as alternative routes or techniques the location of safe zones, such as waiting areas back from edges the techniques required to negotiate the hazard or participate in the activity, such as procedures for use of technical equipment and performing technical actions. Note: for guidance on points to cover for specific activities see section 4 applicable emergency procedures or self-rescue techniques. Using demonstrations and activity progressions Use demonstrations and activity progressions where practicable, particularly for more difficult activities, to help ensure clients are prepared and fully understand what they are required to do. 7.3 Supervising clients This section looks at establishing levels of supervision, minimum recommended client supervision levels, and parameters for sole guiding. Establishing levels of supervision Establish maximum number of allowable clients and minimum client supervision levels for every trip. Increase supervision levels when operational situations are less than optimal. Examples of these situations include: less experienced or confident guides or instructors less physically able, younger or less confident clients challenging environmental conditions. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 32

34 Recommended minimum client supervision levels These supervision levels do not take into account the use of assistant guides or instructors. Consider which hazard management tasks an assistant guide or instructor is verified to perform unsupervised before factoring them into supervision levels. For more information on assistant guides or instructors see section 6. Table 1 Recommended minimum guide or instructor to client supervision levels Number of guides or instructors Guide or instructor skill level Level 1 canyon Level 2 canyon Sole guide or instructor NZOIA Canyon 1 1:8 N/A NZOIA Canyon 2 1:10 1:8 2 or more guides or instructors NZOIA Canyon 1 1:8 N/A NZOIA Canyon 2 1:8* 1:8** * At least one guide or instructor has skills at the level of the NZOIA Canyon 2 qualification. Note: numbers are not increased as the overall trip size is assumed to be larger and therefore requires additional management. **This supervision level assumes that all guides or instructors have skills at the level of the NZOIA Canyon 2 qualification. Note: a guide or instructor with skills at the level of the NZOIA Canyon 1 qualification is considered an assistant guide or instructor. For more information on establishing levels of supervision go to Parameters for sole guiding or instructing Sole guided or instructed trips involve an increased risk of clients being inadequately supervised or spending extended periods of time in the canyon in an emergency scenario. The increased risk of clients spending longer in the canyon in an emergency scenario is also present in trips with limited access to external emergency support. Sole guiding on these trips may not be suitable. For more information see section 9. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 33

35 Only sole guide trips where clients, guides or instructors, and the canyon rigging all enable a safe trip. Assessing and informing clients on sole guided or instructed trips When establishing parameters for assessing clients for participating in a sole guided or instructed trip, factors to consider include: increasing minimum age requirements increasing technical ability or training requirements increasing psychological suitability requirements such as high confidence in the canyon environment and likelihood to follow instructions. Inform clients of the risk that they may be inadequately supervised and spend extended periods of time in the canyon in an emergency scenario. Inform clients how they can assist with managing these risks. This should include: emphasising the heightened responsibility sole guiding places on them emphasising the importance of following instructions training them in signals as required to assist with communication within the canyon training them how to maintain body temperature and how to use and access warmth sources training them in what to do if the guide or instructor becomes unable to assist them, such as instructing them to stay where they are, training them in how to call for outside help, instructing the group how to escape the canyon and supplying a map showing escape routes. Requirements for sole guides or instructors Ensure that guides or instructors working sole guided trips are experienced and verified as competent to manage the trip alone. Factors to consider include: their level of experience and ability in the skills required for leading the trip, including managing emergency scenarios their degree of familiarity with the environmental particulars of that canyon trip their degree of familiarity with the operator s standard operating and emergency procedures. Rigging canyons for sole guided or instructed trips Ensure that canyon rigging allows clients to be supervised or contained in a safe place. Examples include using: stacked or tethered abseils clearly identified safe areas additional safety attachments such as lanyards and handlines. Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 34

36 Section 8 Equipment Ensure that equipment is suitable and in good condition. Equipment choices should be based on: the canyoning activities on the trip identified hazards and associated management strategies emergency scenarios and response plans factors on the day such as guide or instructor skills, client ability and environmental conditions. This section looks at general use equipment, emergency equipment, and equipment maintenance, testing and inspection. 8.1 General use equipment Use equipment according to manufacturer s recommendations and current industry use. Use equipment that complies with relevant internationally or nationally recognised standards such as the International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA), the European Conformity (CE), and the New Zealand and Australian standard (AS/NZS).Equipment should be manufactured specifically for rock climbing, abseiling, canyoning or white-water. This section looks at four key areas of general use equipment: client equipment guide or instructor equipment life bearing ropes (excluding ziplines) anchors, bolts and rigging. Client equipment Correctly fit equipment as per the manufacturer s instructions. Check equipment for fit as suitable throughout the trip such as before using harnesses. This section looks at client equipment for all trips, for trips requiring buoyancy and for those requiring technical equipment for vertical environments. Client equipment for all trips Thermal clothing or wetsuits that are sufficient to protect clients from trip risks such as hypothermia, impact and abrasion. A helmet designed for the most relevant significant hazard presented by the canyon, examples include obstacles in white-water or falling rocks. Client equipment for trips requiring buoyancy On trips that expose clients to the risk of drowning, and where the risk is not managed by techniques such as clipping clients to fixed lines to keep them out of the water, ensure the clients equipment provides sufficient buoyancy for them to float. Equipment that provides buoyancy may include neoprene or a personal flotation device (PFD). Canyoning Activity Safety Guideline version 1.1 Page 35